Adjustable auxiliary camera power pack

ABSTRACT

Included is an adjustable, auxiliary battery pack suitable for digital cameras. The pack includes a rotary wheel having finger grips that protrude through slots in a rotary wheel guide. The finger grips, in conjunction with the large diameter of the rotary wheel, allow a user to couple a threaded screw disposed in the rotary wheel to a tripod mount in a camera. The rotary wheel guide includes an aperture that allows the rotary wheel to move both side to side and forward and back, thereby accommodating a wide array of digital camera form factors. A protrusion on the rotary wheel ensures that the moveable rotary wheel stays within the confines of the rotary wheel guide. The battery pack includes a female tripod mount on the bottom of the pack that allows the camera/battery pack assembly to be coupled to a tripod.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to auxiliary power devices forelectronic equipment, and more specifically to an adjustable auxiliarypower pack with a simplified release mechanism for photographic cameras.

2. Background Art

Traditionally, photographic cameras were mechanical devices thatrequired no electrical power. A user loaded film manually, advanced thefilm manually, and focused the lens manually. To take a picture, theuser depressed a button causing a shutter to open mechanically. With theexception of an external flash, no electrical power was required. Whilea flash did require a modicum of power, it was easily supplied by asmall, non-rechargeable battery.

With the advent of digital cameras, however, electrical power is nowmandatory. Digital cameras include color screens, microprocessors,auto-focus motors, and digital memories, all of which consume a gooddeal of power. While the cameras of yesteryear had no battery, today'sdigital cameras depend upon batteries for operability. A typical digitalcamera today comes with an embedded, rechargeable lithium-ion battery.Such a battery is capable of supplying power for approximately 50pictures before a recharge is necessary.

For heavy users of digital cameras, including enthusiasts, vacationersand journalists, this batter capacity may prove insufficient. Such usersmay need to shoot hundreds of pictures, and need to do so withoutstopping to recharge the battery. For this reason, auxiliary batterieshave been developed. For example, Pat. Application Ser. No. WO0050955,filed Feb. 22, 2000, entitled “Digital Camera Adaptor Assembly”,inventors Kalil et al., teaches a detachable adaptor assembly thatincludes at least one secondary battery.

The problem with this prior art solution is that it only fits onecamera. For example, a user with both a Minolta and Canon cameras wouldneed to buy two of these batteries, each custom made to fit theparticular cameras, respectively. This is not only expensive, but alsocumbersome as well. Two batteries are bulky to carry around, not tomention the two additional chargers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,792, entitled “Camera Support and Accessory StorageApparatus Storagrip” provides an auxiliary compartment with anadjustable attachment means. Such a compartment is shown in FIG. 1. Asmost quality cameras include a tripod mount having a threadedcylindrical bore, the accessory 25 couples to the camera 11 by way of alaterally adjusting screw 17 that couples to the threaded cylindricalbore of the tripod mount 15. This lateral adjustment 18 is advantageousbecause camera manufacturers often put their tripod mounts in differentpositions on different models.

The problem with the attachment means of FIG. 1 is that the laterallyadjusting screw is disposed within an open pocket 17. Consequently, auser must reach inside the compartment 24 (removing any contents ofcourse), avoid bumping into the walls, and twist the laterally adjustingscrew 17. This will be quite difficult for anyone but those with themost slender fingers.

Additionally, such a screw mechanism 17 is impossible to use with therechargeable battery pack. This is because a rechargeable battery wouldneed to be placed into that area currently represented by thecompartment 24. Manufacturers are generally not amenable to makingrechargeable batteries removable from their housings due to safetyconcerns. Thus, in the rechargeable battery application, the laterallymoving screw 17 of FIG. 1 would be inaccessible to the user.

There is thus a need for an improved auxiliary battery pack for adigital camera wherein the battery pack includes an adjustableattachment mechanism suitable for multiple camera form factors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art battery storage compartment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a battery pack in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of a battery pack in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view, from the bottom, of a battery pack inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the left and back sides of the batterypack of FIG. 3 as it is assembled, and electrically connected, to anexemplary electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail.Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughoutthe views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims,the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,”and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in”and “on.”

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is an exploded view of animproved auxiliary battery pack 200 in accordance with the invention. Itone preferred embodiment, the battery pack 200 includes a bottom housing201 for holding at least one rechargeable cell 202. The bottom housing201 further includes space for holding a printed circuit board 227. Theprinted circuit board 227 includes electronic circuitry associated withthe battery pack 200. Such circuitry may include charging circuitry forramping, tapering and stepping voltage and current, protection circuitryto ensure the cells 202 are not over charged, fuel gauging circuitry fordetermining charge status of the cells 202, and headers 203,204 forcoupling both to the outside world and within the battery pack 200.

In some embodiments, a fuel gauge display 205 is provided. The fuelgauge display may include an optical output. For example, a bank oflight emitting diodes (LEDs) 206 may be provided. The LEDs 206 may beactuated by way of a button 207 coupled to a switch 208 disposed on thecircuit board 227. The bottom housing 201 may additionally containvertical walls 209 for holding the cells 202 in place. It may alsoinclude screw bosses 210 to hold the battery pack 200 together.

An upper housing 212 is provided. The upper housing 212 includes atleast one substantially flat surface for supporting the rotary wheel214. The upper housing 212 includes screw holes 213 that mate with thescrew bosses 210 in the lower housing 201.

The adjustable coupling mechanism comprises two components: a rotarywheel 214 and a rotary wheel guide 216. The rotary wheel 214 isgenerally a flat disc, preferably having finger grips 217 disposed aboutthe circumference. A protrusion 218 is provided to ensure that therotary wheel 214 stays within the confines of the rotary wheel guide216. A threaded screw 222 for mating to a camera tripod mount isdisposed in the center of the rotary wheel 214.

The rotary wheel guide 216 includes an aperture 223 into which theprotrusion 218 and threaded screw 222 are inserted. The rectangularshape of the aperture 223 allows the rotary wheel to move both side toside and forward to back, so as to accommodate a wide array of cameratripod mount placements. The rotary wheel guide 216 includes slots thatallow the edges of the rotary wheel 214 to pass through.

The diameter 219 of the rotary wheel 214 is greater than the width 215of the upper housing 212. The diameter of the rotary wheel 214 ispreferably greater than twice the distance from the edge of the apertureto the opposite edge of the rotary wheel guide 220,221. This ensuresthat the outer edges of the rotary wheel 214 are always exposed throughthe slots 224 no matter where the protrusion 218 is within the aperture223. The result is that a user may twist the rotary wheel 214 from bothsides of the pack simultaneously to screw the threaded screw 222 intothe tripod mount on a camera.

The rotary wheel guide 216 is preferably coupled to the pack by way ofscrews 225. Other attachment means could equally be used, includingultrasonic welds, glue, snaps and the like. The housings and guide201,212,216 are preferably manufactured from injection molded plastic. Asuitable material would be ABS plastic or a polycarbonate plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein is an assembled pack inaccordance with the invention. As can be seen, the finger grips 217protrude through the slots 224 of the rotary wheel guide 212. Thisallows the user to easily cinch the threaded screw 222 into the tripodmount of a camera by rotating the rotary wheel. Note that the protrusion218 contacts the sides 226 of the aperture 223 to keep the “floating”rotary wheel 214 within the confines of the rotary wheel guide 223. Apower supply connector or header 203 is provided to couple to a powersupply for recharging the cells within the pack.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is an exploded view of thebattery pack 200 looking from the bottom. As the camera's tripod mountis occupied when the battery pack 200 is coupled to the camera, a femaletripod mount 301 is provided for coupling the camera-battery packassembly to a tripod. Additionally, curved rotary wheel guides 302 areprovided on the underside of the rotary wheel guide 212 to help ensurethat the rotary wheel stays within the confines of the rotary wheelguide 212.

Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is a perspective view of thebattery pack 200 when it is attached to an electronic device 502 thatrequires electrical power, such as a digital camera. As stated above,the bottom housing 201 of the battery pack 200 holds at least onerechargeable cell 202 and the printed circuit board 227 that includeselectronic circuitry associated with the battery pack. Such circuitrymay include charging circuitry for ramping, tapering and steppingvoltage and current, protection circuitry to ensure the cells 202 arenot over charged, fuel gauging circuitry for determining charge statusof the cells 202, and headers 203,204 for coupling both to the outsideworld and within the battery pack 200.

The adjustable coupling mechanism includes the rotary wheel 214supported by the rotary wheel guide 216. The threaded screw 222 isdisposed on, and extended upward from, the rotary wheel 214, through theaperture 223 of the rotary wheel guide 216, for mating to a cameratripod mount of the electronic device 502. Thus, the rotary wheel guide216 positions an upper surface 211 of the rotary wheel guide adjacent toa bottom surface 504 of the electronic device 502. For example, theelectrical device may be a digital camera including a camera tripodmount having a threaded cylindrical bore. The threaded screw 222 maycouple to the threaded cylindrical bore to support the upper surface 211of the battery pack 200 to the bottom surface 504 of the digital camera.

In addition to the mechanical coupling between the battery pack 200 andthe electronic device 502, an electrical coupling is provided betweenthese components. The electronic device 502, such as a digital camera,may have a power connector 506 so that power sources external to theelectric device may provide electrical power to the device. Optionally,the power connector 506 may also be used to supply power to devicesexternal to the electronic device 502.

The battery pack 200 also includes a header 203 for coupling variouselectronic components of the battery pack, such as the rechargeablecell(s) 202 and/or circuit board 227, to devices external to the batterypack. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an electrical conductor or cable508 couples the power connector 506 of the electronic device 502 to theheader 203 of the battery pack 200. In particular, the cable 508 has afirst end 510 capable of coupling to the header 203 of the battery pack200 and a second end 512 capable of coupling to the power connector 506of the electronic device 502. The cable 508 shown in FIG. 5 is aflexible cable which is one embodiment of the electrical conductor, butthe cable may have a varying properties, so long as it serves thepurpose of conducting electricity between the battery pack 220 and theelectronic device 502. For example, the cable 508 may be rigid orsemi-rigid instead of flexible in another embodiment. Also, the firstend of the cable 508 may be affixed or removably connected (by a userwithout tools) to the header 203, but the second end 512 of the cable ispreferably removably connected to the power connector 506.

It is desirable to position the header 203 of the battery pack 200 awayor remote from the portion of the battery pack 200 that is adjacent tothe electronic device 502, such as, the upper surface 211 of the rotarywheel guide 216, when the battery pack and the electronic device aremechanically coupled to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, theupper surface 211 of the rotary wheel guide 216, including the cameratripod mount, may be substantially concealed when the rotary wheel 214is coupled to the camera tripod mount, but the header 203 remainsexposed. For this embodiment, the header 203 is positioned at anexternal surface 514 of the battery pack 200 other than the uppersurface 211. By configuring the battery pack 200 in this manner, theelectrical conductor 508 may still have access to the header 203, evenwhen the upper surface of the battery pack 200 (particularly its rotarywheel guide 216) is coupled to the bottom surface 504 of the electronicdevice 502.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it is clear that the invention is not so limited.Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, andequivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by thefollowing claims. For example, while an exemplary application for thebattery pack is for use with digital cameras, it will be clear that theuses are not so limited. For example, the battery pack could equally beused with a video camera, audio recorder, MP3 player and the like.

1. An adjustable, auxiliary battery pack for a digital camera, thedigital camera including a camera tripod mount having a threadedcylindrical bore and a power connector for receiving electrical power,the battery pack comprising: a housing configured to support at leastone rechargeable battery cell disposed within the housing, the housinghaving a predetermined width and a header for providing an electricalpower connection between the at least one rechargeable battery cell anda device external to the housing; a rotary wheel having a diametergreater than the predetermined width of the housing; a rotary wheelguide for coupling the rotary wheel to the camera tripod mount of thehousing, thereby positioning an upper surface of the rotary wheel guideadjacent to a bottom surface of the digital camera; and an electricalconductor having a first end capable of coupling to the header of thehousing and a second end capable of coupling to the power connector ofthe digital camera, wherein the electrical conductor is coupled to theheader and the power connector remote from the upper surface of therotary wheel guide and the bottom surface of the digital camera.
 2. Thepack of claim 1, wherein the rotary wheel comprises: a protrusiondisposed on a first surface of the aperture; a threaded screw coupled tothe protrusion; and finger grips disposed about the circumference of therotary wheel.
 3. The pack of claim 2, wherein the rotary wheel guidecomprises an aperture through which the protrusion is inserted, theaperture having sides about its circumference which act as mechanicalstops for the protrusion.
 4. The pack of claim 3, wherein the diameterof the rotary wheel is greater than twice the distance from the apertureside to an opposite edge of the rotary wheel guide.
 5. The pack of claim4, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing having at least oneflat surface and a lower housing.
 6. The pack of claim 5, wherein thelower housing comprises: means for accommodating the at least onerechargeable cell; and a circuit board having electrical circuitsdisposed thereon.
 7. The pack of claim 5, wherein the lower housingcomprises a second, threaded cylindrical bore.
 8. The pack of claim 6,wherein the pack further comprises a fuel gauge display.
 9. The pack ofclaim 8, wherein the pack further comprises a connector for coupling toa power supply.
 10. The pack of claim 1, wherein the camera tripod mountis substantially concealed, but the header of the housing remainsexposed, when the rotary wheel is coupled to the camera tripod mount.